Southwest Days (Semiautomatic Sorceress Book 2) by Kal Aaron (ebook reader for manga .txt) 📗

after our own makes us look weak, and they’ll use that to extract concessions from the Society in the future.”

Lyssa shivered. She didn’t want to begin to imagine what “more stringent measures” meant in practical terms. Individual Sorcerers had limits to their powers, but skilled Sorcerers working together in complicated rituals with the help of powerful shards could accomplish destruction easily on par with a nuclear weapon.

That terrible fact hung over the heads of every leader of every Shadow government. They could target individual Sorcerers, but they could not directly hit Last Remnant. She couldn’t blame them for worrying.

“We’ll get it done,” Lyssa said. “I think doing whatever you’re thinking of as a backup plan would be bad for our image, probably worse than the monsters themselves.”

“Sometimes, the only option left available in a crisis is triage.” Samuel stood. “I’ll do my best to expedite things. You should have your team by the 30th at the latest.”

Lyssa sucked in a breath. “Damn. You’re cutting it close.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Standing in front of the mine, Lyssa stared at the rising sun cresting the mountains in the distance. Samuel hadn’t been able to expedite things, leaving the operation to start on the aforementioned 30th. They were down to less than ten hours.

The power of Halloween didn’t map entirely onto the day calendar. By sundown, the veil between worlds would be weaker, and dangerous rituals could invoke a lot more power. Lyssa could be wrong, but she wasn’t willing to bet her or anyone else’s life on that. Taking in a Torch strike team as soon as possible remained their best chance of averting catastrophe.

She’d been chatting with Antoine when Aisha showed up. There was something ridiculous about Aisha’s beautiful red and saffron dress and gold mask regalia being paired with knee-high green rubber boots. Lyssa did her best not to smirk and wondered how it would affect the other woman’s mobility, but given the tight quarters, Aisha’s propulsive style would need to be toned down a lot anyway.

Her presence bolstered Lyssa’s confidence. They’d taken down a rogue and a smuggler together. Monsters would be easy in comparison.

Aisha had arrived with another Torch, Ryan Sterling, known to the general public as Ultrasound. He worked under Samuel, his general territory being farther north. The bearer of the Honorable Vigilante regalia, his plain gray domino mask, urban camouflage pants and shirt, and overcoat stood out against his blond hair and the more striking outfits of Aisha and Antoine.

Lyssa had met the man a couple of times, but she didn’t know him all that well. She didn’t need to. He was a Torch, which meant he could fight. Samuel wouldn’t send someone untrustworthy or incompetent on such an important job.

A half-dozen deputies, including Ortiz and Adams, manned the fence. They kept their distance from the Sorcerers and Sorceresses, but they all had rifles and shotguns ready in case something went wrong.

She finished up her quick briefing, reminding everyone about what she’d experienced during her first trip into the mine and laying out a basic plan of attack. Everyone listened intently, no sign of concern on their faces.

Torches and Illuminated in general could have wayward personalities, but in the end, everyone understood what was at stake. No one wanted monsters breaking free on the surface or tunneling under a nearby town to wreak havoc.

Aisha folded her arms and glared at the entrance. “I shouldn’t have to come and clean up after you, Hecate, but I understand you requested me, so I’ll acknowledge you possess at least some common sense.”

“You might not be the person to bring to an interrogation, but when I need something burned to a crisp, you’re better than a grill,” Lyssa told her with a shrug.

“I’d prefer stronger foes to mindless monsters.” Aisha sniffed. “I can do better than vermin extermination.”

“These vermin are dangerous,” Lyssa replied. “Not everything we do is about personal glory. We’re going to help save a lot of lives today and screw up the plans of a nasty rogue.”

Aisha rolled her eyes. “I’ll fight your monsters for you, but I don’t have to like it. I would simply prefer a less disgusting enemy.”

Lyssa smirked. “Just wait until you get inside and smell them. It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever smelled, but it’s close. You’re going to wish you were wrapped up like Plague Doctor over there.”

Antoine laughed. “It’s terrible, but I can protect your nose if you want.”

“Wait a second. You can?” Lyssa scowled at him. “Why didn’t you tell me that last time? Just because I’m used to the smell doesn’t mean I like it.”

He laughed. “Sorry. Forgot about it. I don’t do a lot of fieldwork. I like being nice and snug in a city. Screw the desert, and screw abandoned mines in the desert more.”

Ryan nodded at the deputies in the distance. “They should just leave. If this gets hot, they’ll get in the way. I don’t want a bunch of dead cops on my conscience.”

“They have orders to establish an observation perimeter if anything escapes,” Lyssa replied. “They’re not going to get involved unless we’re all dead. I made it clear to them before you arrived what the deal is and strongly suggested that if anything larger than a snake-roach gets to the surface, they bug out and call the National Guard.”

Adams waved at Lyssa. “Did you ask them yet?” he shouted.

“Oh, and he wants all your autographs when this is over,” she said, shrugging. “For his kid. Allegedly. Assuming we’re not all dead.”

Aisha smirked. “He’s right to respect us, and I will gladly grant him an autograph, but if we can’t take down the monster threats, a smattering of Shadows with toys won’t be able to. Ultrasound is right. The police should leave.”

“The point here is to clean out the nest so they don’t have to worry about it,” Lyssa replied. “This is an Illuminated-caused problem, so it should be solved by us. We’ll look like chumps if we can’t stop it.”

“I wish the coward